25 October 2013 - war within

25 October 2013 - war within

For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
If we are honest and trying to make progress in the Christian life we experience this war in our soul, this struggle between flesh and spirit.  No matter how much the desire is obscured, we want to do good.  But that desire often gets completely overwhelmed by other desires for things which are, at best, for much lesser goods.  And yet they take us captive.  They make us miserable.They are not rational like our desire for the good but they are overwhelmingly powerful.  They are unpredictable winds, all too ready to blow us off course.

The flesh is able to make us miserable precisely because the law which it thwarts is ordered for nothing other than human flourishing and happiness.

Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.

We want to take delight in the law of God in our inner self.  His law is meant to be our delight.  But if we are honest all of us are, to some extent, miserable and captive.  What's to be done? 

Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

We cannot escape this bondage on our own.  We need to say to Jesus, "Lord, teach me your statutes."  Apart from him no knowledge can save us.  His teaching is truth.  His teaching has saving power. 


If we try to do it on our own we will find ourselves unable to muster the necessary resources.

If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”

It is amazing how opposite the two approaches are.  On the one hand, trying to fulfill these laws under our own power only leaves us miserable.  On there other, we surrender to Jesus, who is "good and bountiful" and we experience deliverance and freedom.

I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.